"More time."

At times you may find yourself being increasingly frustrated.  Frustrated at little hands that hit and pinch.  Frustrated at the sound of your own voice when you say, "Be GENTLE!" for the one thousandth time this hour in a way that does not convey gentleness.

Maybe you find yourself staring a Galations 5:22-23 and realizing that the fruits of a life controlled by the Holy Spirit don't look a whole lot like you in the last few weeks.

Maybe you find yourself praying that God will help you show a little more love, a little more joy, a little more patience, a little more kindness, a little more gentleness today.

But it's only lunch time and the feelings of frustration are quickly rising.

This is where I found myself today.

"Why do you keep hitting?!?"

And then, God, in all of his mercy whispers quietly, "Show him gentleness."  And I am reminded that he is just a child.  And his aggressive behavior is an attempt to communicate.

So I demonstrate.

And I wonder, what is he trying to tell me?  So I scoop that big boy up, cradle him in my lap, and ask about his morning.

"Did you sing songs?"

"yes."

And I begin to rock.  And I begin to sing.  Christmas songs at first.  He smiles.

I notice how he falls into me.  How he rubs his eyes.  I know he is tired, but he refuses to nap.  So I begin to sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children".  When I finish he says, "More time mama?", which is his way of asking for one more time.

We sing again, only this time I put his name in the song:
Jesus loves the little Elis,
All the Elis of the world.
Red and yellow
Black and white
Eli's precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little Elis of the world.

"More time, mama," he whispers.  We sing about Jesus' love over and over again.

 I'm overwhelmed by how much He loves my little boy.  And how much He loves me.

I'm thankful for the times He helps me get this parenting thing right.  Because it's too hard of a job to do without Him.